New Collaboration Allows the Blind to Experience Images

Experienced law enforcement officer Jon Schorsch served as a sergeant with the Port of Seattle Police Department. During his time with the Department, Mr. Schorsch completed civil and criminal investigations with his team of 20 police officers. He became blind in 2017 after an accident at sea. Despite his blindness, Jon Schorsch volunteers with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) as a self-defense instructor.

NFB has collaborated with Getty Images and Tactile Images to deliver up to 45 million tactile renders to the world’s blind population. The collaboration opens opportunities to enhance learning and cultural inclusion for the blind, visually impaired, and physically disabled.

The blind will be able to experience the images on display by stimulating their sense of hearing, smelling, and touch. The images use Braille and embedded sensors activate audio descriptions, and images emit distinct smells. These sensory stimulations will replace the sense of sight.

The partnership demonstrates NFB’s commitment to increase tactile literacy among the blind. NFB will continue to provide the blind with access to paintings, photographs, and other images.